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It’s Time for Belichick to Step Aside

The cracks
have started to form in the foundation that is the base of the Patriots
dynasty. Bill Belichick, the man who
inspired the famous quote “In Bill We Trust”, is coming under question due to
recent decisions made both by both him and the Patriots organization.

Photo Courtesy of patriotswire.usatoday.com

Patriots fans are beginning to question the
future Hall of Fame Coach’s decisions, intentions and integrity. The cracks have started, and unless repaired
quickly, the entire organization will come down. After much consideration, the solution becomes
painfully clear. It is time for Bill
Belichick to step aside as the Head Coach of the New England Patriots.

While it was
difficult to write the previous sentence, the Patriots cannot move forward from
last season’s Super Bowl loss and expect to continue their level of success
with the coaching dynamic currently in place.
The recent decision by Josh McDaniels to turn down the Head Coach
position with the Indianapolis Colts cemented not only his career path, but the
apparent future of the Patriots. Whether
the Patriots sweetened the pot or not for McDaniels with a promise to be
Belichick’s successor, McDaniels return sets him up as the de facto “Head Coach
in Waiting”.

Reports
out of Foxborough contend a rift has already developed between Belichick, Tom
Brady and owner Bob Kraft over the Jimmy Garoppolo situation. Brady allegedly forced the Garoppolo trade to
San Francisco at the trade deadline, supported by Kraft, over the objections of
Belichick. The last minute change of
heart by McDaniels to remain with the Patriots is furthered believed to have been
orchestrated by Brady, who has long cited his close relationship with McDaniels. If these rumors are true and Kraft has
decided to side with his aging superstar quarterback over Belichick, then the
balance of power has shifted in the locker room, and Belichick has lost his
power.

Further
evidence of this rift came after the Super Bowl loss with player reaction to
the unexpected benching of Malcolm Butler.
Both Brady and Safety Devin McCourty commented publicly in support of Butler. In the past, Patriot players would have either
declined to comment or would have said it was the coach’s decision. Speaking in support of Butler, even as apparently
harmless as the comments may have seemed, spoke loudly that certain players
were no longer afraid to go against Belichick.

McDaniels’
apparent position as the future head coach bestows lame duck status on
Belichick. Nothing is worse for a leader
than being perceived as a lame duck. If
the star players have lost their faith in Belichick and have aligned themselves
with McDaniels, then it is only a matter of time before this divisiveness rips
through the locker room.

If Kraft
has decided to go forward with Brady/McDaniels, then that future is now. Belichick should step aside and allow Brady to
play out his remaining years with his preferred coach, and allow that coach to draft
and develop his own quarterback of the future.
Preferably Belichick remains in a front office position and maintains
ties with the organization in which he played a large part in its rise to
greatness and unprecedented run off success.
But he can no longer remain on the sidelines.

Belichick’s
best days with the Patriots are clearly behind him. He should step aside gracefully now and
preserve his legacy. Anything less would
be an inglorious end to a brilliant career.

Follow Bill
on Twitter @BTravers_BSoT.

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